On September 17, 1976, at the Rockwell assembly plant in Palmdale, CA, Orbiter Vehicle 101 (OV-101), much better known as Enterprise, was rolled out and officially presented to the media and public.

Also on that day, members of the Rockwell Space Division Stamp Club (RSDSC) began their long series of multi-colored cacheted covers to commemmorate events and tests in the Space Shuttle Program.

The issurance of these well-designed covers would continue for a number of years and mainly commemorate Space Shuttle launches and orbiter events, such as ferry flights and orbiter debuts.

Six of RSDSC's many covers are featured here, starting with Cover #1: the Palmdale OV-101/Enterprise Rollout. The next cover marks the first ALT/Enterprise Free Flight (with the 2nd cancel marking the fifth and final Free Flight). The third cover marks the first 3-engine Full Duration SSME Firing at NSTL (later Stennis Space Center). The fourth cover marks the launch of Columbia on STS-1. Cover number five marks the launch of STS-2 and the final and bottom cover marks the Rollout/premier of new orbiter Discovery at its assembly plant in Palmdale. These handsome covers were also appropriate and useful for extra cancels and autographs, and this rollout cover was also canceled at KSC for Discovery's first launch, STS-41D, and later autographed by Discovery's first crew.

Through my many years of collecting, I've not seen many of these RSDSC covers, nor have seen much discussion about them. They are handsome and well-done covers and marked most of the early Shuttle milestones and deserve recognition and are certainly worthy of collecting.

DOX32

Bob, I have a number of these RSDSC covers.

For example, have the #1 cover above with both the SEP 17, 1976 date. These covers also include a nice color inserts with descriptive information on front and back from the Rockwell International Space Division.

Also, the same design with Overland Move 77 for JAN 31 1977 at Palmdale and Edwards, with some stick on labels of the Overland Move 77.

Is there any catalogue or listing of the covers made, as I have several through the different STS missions etc.?

Does this Rockwell Stamp club still exist?

Bob M

It is a shame that not a lot is known and recorded about these very well-done RSDSC covers, that were issued for most significant early Space Shuttle tests and events. I was hoping that someone with information about these covers would post here about them.

It would be good to learn how long these covers were issued, and to also get a complete list of what events they were issued for and in what quantities.

I collected all the early RSDSC covers, but as time went on missed some. The last RSDSC covers I have are for the Overland Move of Atlantis from Palmdale to Edwards AFB, and the launch of STS-51I in 1985.

And I wouldn't expect that the Rockwell Space Division Stamp Club still exists - it would be of benefit to hear from a former member about these very special covers.

Ken Havekotte

The Rockwell Space Division Stamp Club was founded in 1976 by Ed Rusinek, a former Rockwell structural engineer, with the financial backing and shuttle orbiter company public relations support at both their Palmdale and Donwey, CA, facilities.

As the club's only president, Ed's guidance and leadership from 1976-85, made possible the production of many attractive commemorative covers for nearly a decade throughout the early shuttle era.

Perhaps one of the final, if not the last, "Rockwell" Stamp Club issued cover was produced in July 1999 for the 30th anniversary of man's first lunar landing mission. But it wasn't a Rockwell issue as the Boeing Company was in operating control replacing Rockwell International.

Ed had placed a phone call order to my firm for the production of the special lunar landing anniversary.

Without checking the files, I think the last Rockwell-issued cover was printed for the maiden shuttle launch of Atlantis in Oct. 1985.

More to come later as time permits...

DOX32

Ken, great update. If either you or Bob have the Boeing sponsored 30th Anniversary cover please post it.

I will see what I have.

Apollo-Soyuz

The Rockwell club also allowed collectors to send in covers for rubber stamp cachets and cancellations.

Ken Havekotte

Correct, John, and if anyone needs any of their rubber stamp cachets applied to any of their eralier "blank" shuttle covers, etc., let me know.

My firm was able to acquire all of the club's rubber stamp devices, printed decal stickers, and several shoe-type boxes completely filled with all the Rockwell-issued cover varieties. Included were many hardly-unseen limited special Rockwell cover editions.

After the shuttle fleet is retired, I am planning to piece together a study and/or report concerning the club's origins, operations, and decade-long philatelic history. It's a great story that I feel needs to be told to the astrophilately communities.

For Woody; It was great seeing you last month and let me get a scan of the Boeing cover soon.

Bob M

Here are two more RSDSC covers. The top cover for STS-7 shows one of the rubber stamp cachets that were applied to covers sent in by collectors. The bottom cover is one of the last issued by RSDSC, marking the Delivery Flight of Atlantis from Edwards AFB to KSC. Atlantis would be launched on its first mission on STS-51J less than 6 months later. Now in about 3 months, it's to make its, and the Space Shuttle Program's, final flight.

Eddie Bizub

I too have many of these Rockwell covers in my collection. I remember back in the 90's the Space Unit put out a listing of contractor-produced covers. I seem to remember that the RSDSC covers were listed in there. I do not have access to my contractor listing at this time but if anyone out there has one, there might be a listing of the covers they produced...at least up until the time the contractor list was printed.

micropooz

The book that Eddie is remembering is "The Contractor Cover Handbook" by Dawn Petersen who was a Space Unit member back in the '80's and '90's, and has not been active in the hobby since then.

Let me check with Dawn to see if she has any problem with us reproducing her Rockwell cachet listing here, or on the SU website. More to come...

micropooz

Steve Garner, with consultation from Rockwell Cachet guru Wolf Magnus, has put together a fantastic web based catalog of the Rockwell covers! Many thanks Steve and Wolf!

NLPCollector

quote:Originally posted by micropooz:Steve Garner, with consultation from Rockwell Cachet guru Wolf Magnus, has put together a fantastic web based catalog of the Rockwell covers! Many thanks Steve and Wolf!

The web based catalog of the Rockwell Space Division Stamp Club covers has been updated.

JBoe

These covers are nicely done and the website is great! Is there any way to possibly purchase "extra" covers? Thanks.